Little Caesar · Chapter
VII explained
Rico hides out in Ma Magdalena's secret basement hideout after killing Police Captain Courtney.
What happens
Rico hides out in Ma Magdalena's secret basement hideout after killing Police Captain Courtney. He plans to stay for two days before fleeing, and arranges for a car and a mechanic's disguise. Ma Magdalena brings him coffee and newspapers reporting the murder and Joe Massara's arrest.
Themes in this chapter
Fear and Paranoia
Rico's jumpy nerves and resentment reflect the paranoia of a hunted criminal.
Crime and Consequence
Rico faces the immediate consequences of murdering Courtney, forced into hiding.
Characters to notice
- Rico
Hides in Ma Magdalena's basement hideout, reads about his own notoriety in the papers.
- Ma Magdalena
Lets Rico in through the alley door, provides shelter and supplies.
- Joe Massara
Arrested and named in the papers as a gang chief, described as wearing a tuxedo.
- The Greek
Mentioned as having been captured by the police.
- Sam Vettori
Reported as having been captured; Rico dismisses him.
Key passages
“Just when I thought things was on the up and up.”
Rico feels frustrated that his plans have fallen apart just when he believed everything was going well.
Reflects Rico's resentment and sense of betrayal by fate.
“Yeah, and I'm the only one they ain't gonna get.”
Rico boasts that he will evade capture despite the police closing in on his associates.
Shows Rico's defiant confidence and determination to escape.